In this article, we will be discussing some handy techniques you can use to escape a life-threatening knife attack to the stomach. Knife attacks are such an unpleasant subject that most of us don’t even want to think about it. But that doesn’t mean we should not. Only if you discuss and prepare yourself for such dangerous situations will you have the confidence to handle such a threat.

Armed attackers are usually very unpredictable and potentially lethal. The best way to deal with them is to de-escalate the situation as quickly as possible. Stay calm when an attacker approaches you. Any sudden moves or actions may startle them and escalate the violence.

But if this fails, you need to be prepared to move quickly and without hesitation. Because he is touching you with the tip of a blade, you are already in close contact and don’t have much time or many options to choose from. With this in mind, let’s look at the most effective moves to handle this threat.

First and most importantly, do not PANIC! Stabilise yourself with strong legs to ensure a powerful blow and keep breathing calmly. Keep your voice calm and soothing as you slowly move your hands with calming gestures to get closer to the knife. Be quick as you step aside to move your body out of the way of the knife’s thrust. And slap the knife hand to the other side.

Next, you must quickly follow up with a counter attack. Use your knee to attack the opponent’s lower abdomen. This should force the attacker to bend forward, giving you the leverage to attack the nape of his neck with an elbow strike. Execute this move-strike combination simultaneously to achieve maximum efficiency. And to knock your opponent to the ground, to get that split-second you need to flee the scene and get yourself some help.

Make sure you practise these moves daily with a willing partner or in front of a mirror, so you don’t panic and/or freeze when this happens in real life. If you enjoyed reading about these techniques in self-defence, do check out our other blogs. Do share these blogs with friends and family, or with anyone who you think will find the information useful.